Technology | Media | Telecommunications

Monday, October 19, 2009

With the increasing use of rich media content, Internet-connected mobile devices need robust multimedia performance enhancements to provide a quality user experience, according to the latest market study by In-Stat.

As a result, graphics, video, and audio requirements are now strategically important to related semiconductor and system design.

"Multimedia features have moved from simple co-processing functions to the forefront of semiconductor and system design," says Jim McGregor In-Stat analyst.

However, there appears to be an alarming trend of fewer in-house and third-party solutions available despite the growth prospects of the mobile market.

In-Stat's market study uncovered the following:

- The total available market (TAM) for Internet-connected devices is projected to grow at a 22.3 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) through 2013.

- 91 percent of Internet-connected devices will be using processors with integrated multimedia acceleration, including 72 percent of mobile PCs, by 2013.

- With fewer in-house multimedia solutions and third-party IP providers, ARM, CEVA, and Imagination are poised to benefit the most from increased multimedia functionality in mobile devices.

- Carriers will account for over 60 percent of Internet device unit sales in 2013.